Jain temples, Rajgir

Rajgir was anciently known as Rajagriha or Girivraja and served as the capital of Magadha.^[1] During the reigns of Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, Rajagriha developed into an important political and religious centre.^[1] The city became an important centre of both Jainism and Buddhism.^[1] Jain tradition associates Rajgir with Mahavira, who is believed to have spent a number of rainy seasons in and around Rajagriha.

Archaeological evidence demonstrates a long Jain presence at Rajgir. Jain sculptures, inscriptions and remains of shrines have been discovered on the hills surrounding the ancient city.^[3]

Mahavir Shwetamber Temple

Munisuvrat Digambar temple

Dhannasheth-Shalibhadra temple

Digambar temple

Rajgir is surrounded by five hills traditionally identified as Vipula, Vaibhara, Ratna, Udaya and Sona. Jain temples and shrines are situated on the summits and slopes of these hills. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation records approximately 26 Jain temples on the hill crests surrounding Rajgir.^[2] Many of the present structures are later or modern temples constructed at sites traditionally regarded as sacred by the Jain community.

The Naulakha Jain temple, also known as the Gaon Mandir, is a Śvētāmbara Jain temple situated at the foothills of Rajgir. The temple is dedicated to Munisuvrata, the twentieth Tirthankara. The temple is of historical origin and has undergone several renovations. An inscription (prashasti) records that an older temple at the site was repaired in 1641 CE, during the reign of Shah Jahan.^[5]

The temple preserves a black stone image of Munisuvrata. An inscription on the image records its installation in 1447 CE by a lay devotee named Jinadasa. The sculpture is accompanied by attendant figures and has representations of lions at its base. The temple was subsequently renovated in 1763 by Manekchandbhai of Hooghly, in 1961 by Devasibhai of Jharia, and again in 2008. A 9.1-foot (2.8 m) image of Munisuvrata was installed in 1961.

The temple also preserves medieval Jain images associated with the shrines on the surrounding hills of Rajgir. These include images of Rishabhanatha and Shantinatha dated to 1447 CE, which were brought from Suvarnagiri and Ratnagiri respectively. An image of Parshvanatha, possibly dating from the 15th century, was brought from Udayagiri. The temple occupies an area of approximately 8,007 square feet (743.9 m²). Its shikhara, including the flagstaff, rises to approximately 87 feet (27 m) and is decorated with 85 kalashas.^[5]

Jain sculptures in Son Bhandar Caves

Maniyar Math

The Son Bhandar Caves are two rock-cut caves situated at the southern foot of Vaibhara Hill. They form one of the most important archaeological sites associated with Jainism at Rajgir. The western cave preserves an inscription indicating that the caves were associated with Jain ascetics. Jain images are carved on the walls of the eastern cave.^[3] The cave dates were constructed c. 319 — 180 BCE, during the Maurya Empire.^[6][7] Son Bhandar Caves was expanded to include second cave in 3rd and 4th century CE.^[7]

Maniyar Math is an ancient archaeological monument situated within the valley of Rajgir. Excavations revealed evidence of successive religious activity associated with different traditions, including Jainism.^[8] The temple dates back to 6th century.^[9] Alexander Cunningham investigated the mound in the nineteenth century and identified a Jain temple at the site. Archaeological finds from Maniyar Math included sculptures and objects associated with serpent worship.^[8]

The surviving monument consists principally of a cylindrical structure surrounded by a platform. Archaeological evidence indicates that the site was used by several religious traditions over an extended period.^[8]

The remains of an ancient Jain temple survive on Vaibhara Hill. Archaeological investigations at the site revealed sculptures and other remains associated with Jain worship.^[4] The temple site contained images of the Tirthankaras. Some of the sculptural remains recovered there were subsequently protected in a small shelter maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.^[4] The surviving archaeological material demonstrates that Jain religious architecture existed on the hills of Rajgir before the construction of the present temples.

A modern Samavasarana temple stands at Rajgir at a place traditionally associated with the preaching of Mahavira. According to Bihar Tourism, a modern temple was constructed at the site in 1956.^[10] Jain tradition identifies the location as a place where Mahavira delivered sermons, including his final sermon.^[10]

The site also contains archaeological remains of an earlier stupa.^[10]

The Jain remains of Rajgir form part of the extensive archaeological landscape of ancient Rajagriha. The Archaeological Survey of India protects the ancient structures, monuments and archaeological remains situated within the walls of old and new Rajagriha and in the surrounding area.^[11] The Jain archaeological evidence includes rock-cut caves, ruined shrines, inscriptions and sculptures of Tirthankaras. These remains demonstrate the importance of Rajgir as a Jain religious centre over an extended period.^[3][4]

The modern Jain temples on the surrounding hills continue the religious importance of these locations as pilgrimage sites.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jain Temple, Rajgir.

• Jal Mandir, Pawapuri
• Jain temple, Kundalpur
• Lachhuar Jain temple